Problem with Airbnb Guidebook – Error 503 and unable to add new places

[Olga1565]

Hi everyone,

I would like to ask if any other host in Europe is experiencing problems with the Airbnb Guidebook / Travel Guide.

For quite some time, I have been having serious problems with the Guidebook:

• I no longer have normal access to the Guidebook.
• I keep getting “Stay tuned – Error code: 503”.
• I cannot add any new places.
• The Print Preview does not show all the pages of the Guidebook.

I have already logged out and back in and followed the troubleshooting steps suggested by Airbnb, but the problem continues.

The important thing is that I still cannot add new places to the Guidebook or access it normally to edit it.

Has anyone else experienced the same problem?

And most importantly, has anyone managed to fix it? If so, how?

Any experience or solution from another host would be very helpful.

Thank you!

[Rebecca]

Hi @Olga1565 👋

Sorry to hear that you're having issues. Could you try the following steps and let me know if the issue persists: 

• Log out (on all affected devices/browsers)
• Close all browser windows/tabs (on all affected devices/browsers)
• Open ONE new window (on all affected devices/browsers)
• Clear cache and cookies and browser history (on all affected devices/browsers)
• Delete & re-install app (if applicable)
• Log in with email associated with your Airbnb account

[Olga1565]

Hi @Rebecca 

Thank you for your message.

I have already followed these troubleshooting steps, including logging out, closing the browser, clearing the cache and cookies, and logging back in with the email associated with my Airbnb account.

Unfortunately, the issue still persists.

I still cannot access and edit my Guidebook normally, I cannot add any new places, and I continue to get “Stay tuned – Error code: 503”. I also still have an issue with the Print Preview, where not all pages of the Guidebook appear.

Has anyone else in the Community experienced the same issue? And has anyone found a solution that actually worked?

Thank you for any advice.

[Olga1565]

I would like to give you an update Rebeca regarding the issue today, after some actions taken by Airbnb

Today I opened my Guidebook and searched for “Παραλία Λομβάρδα” (Lombarda Beach).

The search result appeared normally, and I was able to open it and make my corrections.

However, when I moved on to a second place to make another correction, I was able to type and enter my changes, but the changes would not save.

As a result, I had to leave the platform, and once again I was faced with the “Stay tuned – Error code: 503” message.

So, although the Guidebook was temporarily accessible today, I still cannot use it reliably or save the changes I make. The problem continues to interrupt my work on the Airbnb platform.

[Jeff3407]

Hello, I am also having these same problems with the guidebook. I get the error message across multiple devices when I attempt to update my guidebook. On both a laptop and on the phone app. This has been happening for several weeks. I did try and reach out to airbnb customer service several weeks ago. They asked for screenshots of the error messages I received, which I sent them. But I did not get any resolution. I updated the guidebook again today. While the updates I made did seem to save, I am now getting the error messages on the phone app and on the laptop web browser. 

[Olga1565]

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for sharing this. Your situation sounds very similar to mine, especially the fact that you are getting the Error 503 on both the laptop and the phone app.

I have one question: are you currently able to add any new places to your Guidebook, or does the error prevent you from adding them?

Also, approximately how many places/entries do you currently have in your Guidebook?

Thank you!

[Denis1763]

These troubleshoots did not work for me either. It is ridiculous that a host cannot update their guidebooks. The guidebooks is one of the things my guests like most.

[Joan2709]

@Olga1565 

This is a known problem with Airbnb and we have requested Airbnb address it for years...to no avail. Once you exceed the data limit entries beyond that will be cut off and will also not print.

Per Support It appears there is a data limit to the Airbnb Guidebook and I suspect they are using a 3rd party software to manage it. Generally, I was told there is a max of about 20-25 entries and do not write long descriptions for each entry. Some Hosts create two Guidebooks, one for an Area Guide to restaurants and one for Area Activities. However, only one is connected to the short code in messages. You can give them your profile URL and all your Guidebooks will appear there.

Most of my Hosts clients create their own Guidebook and provide a link and QR code to it, or use a 3rd party House Manual/Guidebook like TouchStay. Use caution however, as nothing in the Guidebook should require guests to use a 3rd party software to access or use the property and amenities - it is for information purposes only. Otherwise you could run afoul of Airbnb's off-platform policies.

[Olga1565]

Hi Joan,

Thank you, this is very interesting, especially regarding the possible data limit.

Do you know if the 20–25 entry limit can also cause the “Stay tuned – Error code: 503” and prevent a Host from adding any new places?

Or does this limit mainly affect the Print Preview, where some entries/pages are cut off and do not print?

I am trying to understand whether these are two separate issues or if they could be related.

Thank you!

[Joan2709]

@Olga1565 

I can confirm the Stay Tuned Error Code 503 appears when you have exceeded the data limit:

[Denis1763]

But how can a guidebook exceed the data limit if it existed at its current data amount and worked previously, but now you cannot edit the guidebook. I successfully updated my guidebook in May, and last month and this month tried to update the guidebook to delete one restaurant that has since closed. I also wanted to update the cover to indicate that is now updated as of this month. But the edit of the cover will not save, and there is no way to access existing entries. This is a ridiculous failure on the part of Airbnb. The guidebooks are a very important resource for guests. Does Airbnb simply not care? 

[Joan2709]

@Denis1763 

No idea how it worked before and all of a sudden doesn't? I just know 2 years ago? I mentioned the issue and was told there was a data limit. I also got the error code mentioned.

I would try to access on both the App and on the desktop and then contact Airbnb since they control access and how much data for the Guidebook. Sometimes you are able to access on the App but not the desktop.